JP6190593B2 - Programmable controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a programmable controller.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a programmable controller (PLC) is configured by arranging a CPU unit, a power supply unit, an input / output unit, a communication unit, and the like in a row adjacent to each other and electrically connecting the units. In order to electrically connect each unit, for example, a connector that is fitted to a unit adjacent to each unit may be provided, and Patent Document 1 below is known as an example of such a unit.

JP 2001-265410 A

  However, in recent years, the functionality of programmable controllers has increased and the number of units to be connected has increased, and accordingly, the current capacity of each circuit board provided in each unit has also increased. For this reason, in the conventional configuration in which each unit is connected by a connector, the connection resistance may be excessive with respect to the current capacity of each circuit board. In particular, if the connection resistance related to the signal ground is excessive, the reference potential May become unstable and operation stability may be impaired.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above situation, and an object thereof is to obtain excellent operational stability.

  The programmable controller of the present invention includes a unit case, a circuit board accommodated in the unit case, and accommodated in the unit case and connected to the circuit board. When assembled, it is connected to the mating connector provided in the other unit case, so that at least a connector part capable of transmitting a signal and the connector part are held separately in the unit case. A metal fitting that is capable of transmitting a reference potential between the circuit board and a mating connector provided in the other unit case, and a metal fixture that is provided in the unit case and holds the connector A programmable controller comprising: a fitting main body; and A board connection part connected to the board, and an inter-unit connection part connected to the mating connection fitting when the other unit case is assembled to the unit case; The metal fitting holding portion is disposed in a form surrounding at least the metal fitting body while exposing the inter-unit connection portion to the mating connection metal fitting.

  The circuit board housed in the unit case is connected to the board connecting portion of the connection fitting held by the fitting holding portion of the unit case and to the connector portion housed in the unit case. When another unit case is assembled to this unit case, the inter-unit connection portion of the connection bracket is exposed at the bracket holding portion, so that it is connected to the mating connection bracket and the connector The part is connected to the mating connector part. At this time, a reference potential can be transmitted between the circuit board and the mating connector by the connecting metal, and at least a signal can be transmitted between the circuit board and the mating connector by the connector. In this way, since the connection bracket for transmitting the reference potential is provided separately from at least the connector portion for transmitting the signal, the connection is compared with the conventional structure for transmitting both the signal and the reference potential by the connector. Resistance is low. As a result, even if the circuit board has a large current capacity, the reference potential transmitted by the connection fitting becomes stable, thereby improving the operational stability. In addition, since the metal fitting body is surrounded by the metal case holding part of the unit case, the effect of noise existing outside is larger than when the entire metal fitting is exposed to the outside of the unit case. It is difficult to receive, and it has better operational stability.

The following configuration is preferable as an embodiment of the present invention.
(1) The metal fitting holding part has at least a base wall part arranged with a space between the circuit board and a side wall part rising from a side edge of the base wall part so as to approach the circuit board. On the other hand, the connection metal fitting is intended to be held by being attached to the metal fitting holding portion, and the metal plate main body is disposed along the inner surface of the base wall portion, A side plate portion that rises from the side edge of the substrate portion and is arranged along the inner surface of the side wall portion, and a holding convex portion is provided on one side of the base wall portion and the substrate portion. On the other side, the holding projection is fitted along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion, and the connection fitting is held in the direction along the plate surface of the substrate portion. A holding recess is provided. In this way, in a state where the connection bracket is attached to the bracket holding portion, the connection bracket is the inner surface of the base wall portion that is arranged with a gap between the circuit board portion and the circuit board portion forming the bracket body. And the side plate portion rising from the side edge of the substrate portion is arranged along the inner surface of the side wall portion rising from the side edge of the base wall portion so as to approach the circuit board. Then, when the connecting metal fitting is attached to the metal fitting holding part, the holding convex part is fitted along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the board part with respect to the holding concave part. The connection fitting is held in a direction along the plate surface of the substrate portion.

(2) A locked holding portion is provided on one side of the side wall portion and the side plate portion, whereas on the other side, from the circuit board side with respect to the locked holding portion. A locking holding portion is provided that holds the connection fitting in a state of being restricted from moving to the circuit board side by locking. In this way, when the connection fitting is attached to the fitting holding portion, the holding convex portion is fitted along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion with respect to the holding concave portion, and is locked. The holding portion is locked to the locked holding portion from the circuit board side. Thereby, in addition to being held in the direction along the plate surface of the board portion, the connection fitting is held in a state where movement to the circuit board side along the direction intersecting the plate surface is restricted. .

(3) Whereas a pair of the side wall portions are provided so as to rise from both side edges of the base wall portion, a pair of the side plate portions are provided so as to stand up from both side edges of the substrate portion. The locking holding portion and the locked holding portion are provided in a pair with the pair of side wall portions and the pair of side plate portions, respectively. If it does in this way, a pair of side wall part will be provided in the form which stands up from the both-sides edge of a substrate part, respectively, and the mechanical strength of a connection metal fitting will become high. In addition, since the locking holding portion and the locked holding portion are provided in pairs with the pair of side wall portions and the pair of side plate portions, the direction in which the connection fitting intersects the plate surface of the substrate portion The situation that leans about becomes difficult to occur.

(4) A second locked holding portion is provided on one side of the base wall portion and the substrate portion, whereas the second locked holding portion is provided on the other side. On the other hand, there is provided a second locking holding portion that holds the connection fitting in a state of being restricted from moving to the circuit board side by locking from the circuit board side. The locked holding portion, the second locking holding portion, and the second locked holding portion are along the plate surface of the substrate portion and along the plate surface of the side plate portion. It arrange | positions in the position which pinches | interposes the connection position of the said board | substrate connection part with respect to a circuit board. According to this configuration, when the connection fitting is attached to the fitting holding portion, the locking holding portion is locked to the locked holding portion from the circuit board side, and the second locking holding portion is provided. Is locked from the circuit board side to the second locked holding portion. Thereby, the connection fitting is held in a state in which movement to the circuit board side along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the board portion is more preferably regulated. In addition, the connecting metal fittings are disposed at positions spaced along the plate surface of the board portion and along the plate surface of the side plate portion, the latch holding portion, the second latch holding portion, By being held by the second locked holding portion, it is difficult for the connection fitting to tilt in the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion, and in addition, the board connection portion of the connection fitting for the circuit board The connection state becomes more stable.

(5) The second locking holding portion and the second locked holding portion are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside on the opposite side to the substrate portion side with respect to the base wall portion. On the other hand, the outer surface of the base wall portion opposite to the substrate portion side is provided with a protective projection that projects outward from the second locking holding portion or the second locked holding portion. It has been. If it does in this way, it will be provided in the form where a protection projection protrudes outside from the outer surface on the opposite side to the substrate part side in the base wall part rather than the 2nd locking holding part or the 2nd locked holding part. Therefore, the second locking holding portion and the second locked holding portion that are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the base wall portion on the opposite side to the substrate portion side can be protected. As a result, the connection fitting is not easily affected by noise existing outside, and thus the operation stability is improved.

(6) The board-side metal fitting is attached to the circuit board, whereas the board connecting portion has an elastic contact piece that is elastically contacted with the board-side metal fitting. If it does in this way, the elastic contact piece which a board | substrate connection part has will contact elastically with respect to the board | substrate side metal fitting attached to the circuit board, and the connection state of a connection metal fitting and a circuit board will be maintained stably. Since the connection bracket is configured to be connected to the circuit board via the board-side bracket attached to the circuit board, the shape of the board-side bracket is appropriately set according to the positional relationship between the connection bracket and the circuit board. Thus, it is possible to flexibly cope with the positional relationship. In other words, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in arranging the connection fitting and the circuit board.

(7) When the second other unit case is assembled to the unit case from the side opposite to the other unit case side while being accommodated in the unit case and connected to the circuit board, A second connector part that is capable of transmitting at least a signal by being connected to a second mating connector part provided in the second other unit case, and provided in the connection fitting, the unit When the second other unit case is assembled to the case from the side opposite to the other unit case side, with respect to the second mating connection fitting provided in the second other unit case And a second inter-unit connection section that is capable of transmitting a reference potential between the circuit board and the second mating connection fitting. Holding portion is a second inter-unit connection part is formed so as to expose to the second mating fitting. If it does in this way, the connector part and 2nd connector part which are accommodated in a unit case will be connected to the circuit board accommodated in a unit case. When the second other unit case is assembled to the unit case, the second inter-unit connection provided on the connection fitting is exposed at the fitting holding portion, so that the second counterpart The second connector portion is connected to the second mating connector portion while being connected to the side connection fitting. At this time, a reference potential can be transmitted between the circuit board and the second mating connection fitting by the connection fitting, and between the circuit board and the second mating connector portion by the second connector section. At least a signal can be transmitted. Furthermore, when another unit case is assembled to the unit case, the reference potential can be transmitted between the circuit board, the counterpart connection fitting, and the second counterpart connection fitting by the connection fitting, At least a signal can be transmitted between the circuit board, the mating connector unit, and the second mating connector unit by the connector unit and the second connector unit.

  According to the present invention, excellent operational stability can be obtained.

The front view of the programmable controller which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention Rear view of programmable controller Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connector part in a programmable controller Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connection metal fitting and metal fitting holding part in a programmable controller The perspective view showing the male connector part and metal fitting support part in the 1st I / O unit A perspective view showing a connector receiving opening and a second opening in the first I / O unit Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connector part in CPU unit, 1st I / O unit, and 2nd I / O unit Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connection metal fitting and metal fitting holding part in CPU unit, 1st I / O unit, and 2nd I / O unit Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connection metal fitting and metal fitting holding part in a 4th I / O unit and a termination | terminus unit A perspective view of a connection fitting provided in each of the I / O unit and the CPU unit. The perspective view showing the metal fitting holding | maintenance part and connection metal fitting with which an I / O unit and a CPU unit are each provided. The perspective view showing the metal fitting holding | maintenance part and connection metal fitting with which an I / O unit and a CPU unit are each provided. A perspective cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration in which a metal fitting holding portion and a connection metal fitting respectively provided in the I / O unit and the CPU unit are cut along the length direction. A perspective cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration in which a metal fitting holding portion and a connection metal fitting respectively provided in the I / O unit and the CPU unit are cut along the width direction. Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connector part in the state before connecting CPU unit, 1st I / O unit, and 2nd I / O unit. Sectional drawing showing the cross-sectional structure of the connection metal fitting and metal fitting holding part in the state before connecting a CPU unit, a 1st I / O unit, and a 2nd I / O unit.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a stacking type (PLC) 10 is illustrated. In addition, a part of each drawing shows an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, and each axis direction is drawn to be a direction shown in each drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the programmable controller 10 includes a power supply unit 11 that supplies power to the entire system, and a plurality of (four in FIG. 2) I / O units that have interfaces that match the devices to be controlled. (Expansion unit) 12, a CPU unit 13 for individually controlling each I / O unit 12, and a termination unit 14 connected to the termination I / O unit 12. These units 11 to 14 are arranged in the order of the power supply unit 11, the CPU unit 13, the I / O unit 12, and the end unit 14 from the left shown in FIG. Adjacent ones are connected to each other. The adjacent units 11 to 14 are arranged such that side surfaces along the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are in contact with each other or close to each other. Each of the units 11 to 14 is arranged in a linearly parallel manner along the X-axis direction as described above, and with respect to a reference rail (DIN rail) DL that extends along the parallel direction. It is attached. Rail hooks that are hooked to the reference rail DL are provided on the back surfaces of the units 11 to 14, respectively. In the following, when distinguishing I / O units, the unit closest to the CPU unit 13 is designated as the first I / O unit (first extension unit), and the subscript A is added to the reference symbol, and the next unit is next. As the second I / O unit (second extension unit) with the suffix B, the next adjacent one as the third I / O unit (third extension unit) with the suffix C, and most A unit close to the end unit 14 is a fourth I / O unit (fourth extension unit), and a suffix D is added to the symbol. When referring generically without distinction, a suffix is not added to the symbol. To do.

  The power supply unit 11 is supplied with power from an external power supply (not shown), converts it to a voltage required by the system, and can supply system power to the CPU unit 13 and each I / O unit 12 respectively. The CPU unit 13 can control each I / O unit 12 individually by exchanging various signals with each I / O unit 12. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the units 11 to 14 is provided with a connector portion 20 in order to transmit the above power and various signals. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the units 12 to 14 except the power supply unit 11 is provided with a connection fitting 21 in order to transmit a reference potential related to the signal ground.

  Next, the detailed structure of each unit 11-14 is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the units 11 to 14 includes a unit case 22, a circuit board 23 arranged so as to be accommodated in the unit case 22, and a circuit that is accommodated in the unit case 22. The connector part 20 connected to the board | substrate 23 and the connection metal fitting 21 hold | maintained at the unit case 22 and connected to the circuit board 23 are provided at least. In the following, in order to distinguish the unit cases, circuit boards, connector portions, and connection fittings provided in each of the units 11 to 14, the subscript PW is added to the reference numeral of the power supply unit 11, and each I / O The subscript IO is attached to the reference numeral of the unit 12, the subscript CP is attached to the reference numeral of the CPU unit 13, and the subscript ED is attached to the reference numeral of the terminal unit 14. In such a case, no suffix is added to the code.

  The unit cases 22PW, 22IO, and 22CP provided in each of the units 11 to 13 excluding the termination unit 14 are made of synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. And it has a three-piece structure. The unit cases 22PW, 22IO, and 22CP provided in the units 11 to 13 are different in size but have the same basic structure. Therefore, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the perspective view related to the first I / O unit 12A is shown. The figure is shown as a representative. Each unit case 22PW, 22IO, 22CP includes a main case 22a that constitutes four surfaces: an upper surface, a lower surface, a rear surface, and one side surface (left side surface shown in FIG. 1), and the other side surface (right side surface shown in FIG. 1). ) And a second sub case 22c forming the front. Each of the main case 22a, the first sub case 22b, and the second sub case 22c has a lock structure (not shown), and is held in an assembled state by the mutual lock structure engaging with each other. It has become so. Each unit case 22PW, 22IO, 22CP assembled to each other has a storage space in which various components such as the connector portion 20, the connection fitting 21, and the circuit board 23 can be stored. The unit case 22ED provided in the terminal unit 14 is made of synthetic resin and has a vertically long box shape that opens to the fourth I / O unit 12D side (the left side surface shown in FIG. 1 opens). It has a one-piece structure (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the circuit board 23 is in the unit case 22 in a posture in which the plate surface is parallel to the side surface of the unit case 22 (a posture parallel to the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction). It is held by a substrate holding means (not shown). The power supply unit 11, the CPU unit 13, and the first I / O unit 12A each include two corresponding circuit boards 23PW, 23CP, and 23IO, whereas the second I / O unit 12B and the third I / O unit. 12C, 4th I / O unit 12D, and termination | terminus unit 14 are each provided with one circuit board 23IO and 23ED corresponding respectively. One of the two circuit boards 23PW, 23CP, and 23IO provided in the power supply unit 11, the CPU unit 13, and the first I / O unit 12A is the main circuit board 23a, while the other is the sub circuit. This is the substrate 23b. Except for the power supply unit 11, on the plate surface of each main circuit board 23a provided in the CPU unit 13 and the first I / O unit 12A, as shown in FIG. Are attached to each. Similarly, the connection fitting 21 is brought into contact with the plate surfaces of the circuit boards 23IO and 23ED provided in the second I / O unit 12B, the third I / O unit 12C, the fourth I / O unit 12D, and the termination unit 14. Substrate side metal fittings 24 are respectively attached. The board-side metal fitting 24 is made of metal, and is fixed in an attached state by being soldered to the circuit board 23. The board side metal fitting 24 is orthogonal to the plate surface of the circuit board 23 (parallel to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction), and has a metal fitting contact surface 24a with which the connection metal fitting 21 is brought into contact. The board-side metal fitting 24 is electrically connected to a terminal portion related to a signal ground in the circuit board 23 at a portion soldered to the circuit board 23.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the connector portion 20 has a substantially block shape, and has a posture in which its axial direction (length direction) coincides with a direction (X-axis direction) orthogonal to the plate surface of the circuit board 23. It is attached on 23 plate surfaces. The connector part 20 is fixed in an attached state by being soldered to the circuit board 23. The connector part 20 has many terminal metal fittings which are not shown in figure, and these terminal metal fittings are electrically connected with the terminal part for various signals in the circuit board 23, and the terminal part for power supplies. A pair of connector portions 20IO and 20CP respectively provided in each I / O unit 12 and CPU unit 13 are attached to the front and back surfaces of each circuit board 23IO and 23CP, one of which (the left side shown in FIG. 3). 20IO, 20CP is a male connector portion (connector portion) 20M, while the other (right side shown in FIG. 3) connector portion 20IO, 20CP is a female type that can be concavo-convexly fitted to the male connector portion 20M. A connector portion (second connector portion) 20F is provided. Of these, the male and female connector portions 20F and 20M attached to the opposing surfaces of the main circuit board 23a and the sub circuit board 23b among the total of four connector portions 20CP provided in the CPU unit 13 are engaged with each other. ing. As for the first I / O unit 12A, a pair of male and female connectors 20IO are attached only to the main circuit board 23a, and the sub circuit board 23b provided in the CPU unit 13 with respect to the female connector 20F. The male connector portion 20M attached to the plate surface facing the first I / O unit 12A side in the above is a concave-convex fitting, while the male connector portion 20M is provided in the second I / O unit 12B. Concave and convex are fitted to 20F. Similarly, the male connector portion 20M provided in the second I / O unit 12B is unevenly fitted to the female connector portion 20F provided in the third I / O unit 12C. The connector unit 20PW provided in the power supply unit 11 is attached only to the plate surface of the main circuit board 23a facing the CPU unit 13 side. This is the male connector unit 20M and is provided in the CPU unit 13. The main circuit board 23a can be concavo-convexly fitted to the female connector portion 20F attached to the plate surface facing the power supply unit PW. The connector unit 20ED provided in the termination unit 14 is attached only to the plate surface facing the fourth I / O unit 12D side of the circuit board 23ED. This is the female connector unit 20F and the fourth I / O The male unit 20M provided in the O unit 12D is concavo-convexly fitted. As described above, the connector units 20 provided in the adjacent units 11 to 14 are electrically connected to each other, so that power and various signals can be transmitted between the units 11 to 14. .

  On the side surface of each main case 22a in the unit cases 22IO and 22CP respectively provided in each I / O unit 12 and CPU unit 13, as shown in FIGS. A connector receiving opening 25 that allows insertion of the male connector portion 20M of 13 is formed. At the opening edge portion of the connector receiving opening 25, a guide tube portion 25a having a short tube shape is provided so as to protrude into each main case 22a. In addition, regarding the unit case 22ED provided in the termination unit 14, the insertion of the male connector portion 20M provided in the fourth I / O unit 12D is permitted through the opening opened toward the fourth I / O unit 12D. . On the other hand, the side surfaces of the first sub cases 22b in the unit cases 22PW, 22IO, and 22CP respectively provided in the power supply unit 11, the I / O units 12, and the CPU unit 13 are shown in FIGS. An opening for exposing the male connector portion 20M to the outside is formed, and an opening edge of the opening is in a connector receiving opening 25 included in each of the units 12 and 13 adjacent to the right side of FIG. A connector protection cylinder portion 26 that can be inserted is provided. The connector protection cylinder portion 26 protrudes from the outer surface of each first sub case 22b and has a substantially rectangular tube shape surrounding the internal male connector portion 20M. In addition, the insertion operation | movement is guided by the guide cylinder part 25a being slidably contacted with the connector protection cylinder part 26 inserted with respect to the connector receiving opening part 25. As shown in FIG.

  The connection fitting 21 is configured to be formed into a predetermined shape by pressing a metal plate material, and is provided in each of the units 12 to 14 except for the power supply unit 11, as shown in FIG. Since the units provided in the adjacent units 12 to 14 are electrically connected to each other, the reference potential related to the signal ground can be transmitted to each other. The connection fitting 21ED provided in the termination unit 14 is different in structure from the other connection fittings 21IP and 21CU, and the structure will be described first. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection fitting 21ED provided in the termination unit 14 protrudes from a fitting main body 27 having a substantially L-shaped cross section and an end portion of the fitting main body 27 parallel to the circuit board 23ED. The board connection portion 28 connected to the circuit board 23ED, and the locked holding that is locked to the opening edge portion of the metal fitting body 27 by being folded outward from the opening portion of the unit case 22ED. Part 29. A portion of the metal fitting body 27 that is disposed near the opening of the unit case 22ED serves as an inter-unit connection portion 30 for the connection fitting 21IO provided in the fourth I / O unit 12D.

  The connection fittings 21IO and 21CP provided in each I / O unit 12 and CPU unit 13 have the following common structure. As shown in FIG. 10, the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP include a fitting main body 31 extending along the X-axis direction (the arrangement direction of the units 11 to 14), and the length direction (X-axis direction) of the fitting main body 31. The first inter-unit connection portion (inter-unit connection portion) 32 provided at one end portion of the metal plate and the second inter-unit connection portion (between the second units) provided at the other end portion in the length direction of the metal fitting body 31. Connection portion) 33 and at least a substrate connection portion 34 provided in the central portion of the metal fitting body 31 in the length direction. 10 to 14, the connection fitting 21CP of the CPU unit 13 is shown as a representative for convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the metal fitting body 31 has a board portion 31a having plate surfaces along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and a plate surface rising from both side edges of the board portion 31a and along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. It consists of a pair of side-plate part 31b which has. A pair of holding hole portions (holding recesses) 35 are formed through the substrate portion 31a so as to sandwich the substrate connection portion 34 in the Z-axis direction. A first locked holding portion 36 is cut out at the leading end of each side plate portion 31b from the substrate portion 31a. The first locked holding portion 36 has an end portion that overlaps the holding hole portion 35 in the X-axis direction. The first inter-unit connection portion 32 is the right side of the substrate portion 31a of the metal fitting body 31 shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 10, that is, the male connector portion 20M and the connector protection cylinder portion 26 from each unit case 22. It is provided at the end in the protruding direction. The first inter-unit connection portion 32 is connected to the substrate portion 31a and has a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and an elastic contact piece that is folded back from the end of the connection portion main body 32a toward the substrate portion 31a. 32b. The connection portion main body 32a is bent along the Y-axis direction from the end of the substrate portion 31a toward the same side as the side plate portion 31b, and then along the X-axis direction toward the opposite side from the substrate portion 31a side. It is bent like so. The elastic contact piece 32b has a cantilever shape and is formed in a bifurcated shape by forming a slit 32b1 from the free end portion to the vicinity of the base end portion at the center in the width direction. The elastic contact piece 32b can be elastically deformed along the Y-axis direction, and its apex portion serves as a contact portion 32b2 with respect to the connection fitting 22 as a counterpart. The second inter-unit connection portion 33 is configured by an end portion on the opposite side to the first inter-unit connection portion 32 side in the board portion 31 a of the metal fitting body 31. A second locked holding portion 37 having a folded shape is provided from the second inter-unit connection portion 33 that forms an end portion of the board portion 31a of the metal fitting body 31. The second locked holding portion 37 is made of a plate piece that is opposed to the second inter-unit connection portion 33 while having a predetermined interval, and has a retaining opening at the center thereof. The part 37a is formed through. The board connecting portion 34 is formed by cutting and raising a central portion in the length direction of the board portion 31a of the metal fitting body 31 to the same side as the side plate portion 31b. The board connecting portion 34 has a cantilevered elastic contact piece 34c, and is formed in a forked shape by forming a slit 34a from the free end portion to the vicinity of the base end portion. The board connecting portion 34 can be elastically deformed along the Y-axis direction, and the apex portion thereof serves as a contact portion 34b for the board-side metal fitting 24 of the circuit board 23 (see FIG. 14).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the unit cases 22IO and 22CP provided in the respective I / O units 12 and the CPU unit 13 respectively have a bracket holding portion 38 for holding the connection brackets 21IO and 21CP having the above-described structure. Is provided. The metal fitting holding portion 38 is formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape (substantially tunnel type) by partially expanding the back surfaces of the main case 22a and the first sub case 22b forming the unit cases 22IO and 22CP outward. The housing space for the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP is provided inside. And as shown in FIG.11 and FIG.12, a pair of opening parts 41 and 42 which open an internal space toward the exterior are provided in the both ends about the length direction (X-axis direction) in the metal fitting holding part 38. Accordingly, the first inter-unit connection portion 32 and the second inter-unit connection portion 33 in the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP accommodated therein are exposed to the outside. Of the pair of openings 41, 42, the one that exposes the first inter-unit connection portion 32 is the first opening 41, whereas the one that exposes the second inter-unit connection portion 33 is the second opening. 42. The first opening 41 is provided in the first sub case 22b, while the second opening 42 is provided in the main case 22a. In addition, the unit case 22ED provided in the terminal unit 14 is also provided with a metal fitting holding portion 45 that accommodates and holds the connection fitting 21ED in the same manner as the above-described metal fitting holding portion 38 by bulging the back surface outward. (See FIG. 9).

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the metal fitting holding portion 38 rises from the base wall portion 38a parallel to the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a of the connection metal fittings 21IO and 21CP, and from both side edges of the base wall portion 38a and each side plate portion. And at least a pair of side wall portions 38b parallel to the plate surface 31b. The base wall portion 38a is arranged at a position with a predetermined gap between the end surfaces of the circuit boards 23IO and 23CP of the unit cases 22IO and 22CP, and the base wall portion 38a is arranged with the board portion 31a in contact with the inner wall surface. Is done. The pair of side wall portions 38b are arranged such that rising ends from the base wall portion 38a are connected to the main body portions of the unit cases 22IO and 22CP, and the side plate portions 31b are in contact with the inner wall surfaces thereof. In the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP accommodated in the fitting holding part 38, the second inter-unit connection part 33 is arranged near the opening edge of the second opening part 42, whereas the first inter-unit connection part 32 is The unit cases 22IO and 22CP protrude through the first opening 41. From the opening edge part of the 1st opening part 41 in the metal fitting holding part 38, the metal fitting support part 43 protrudes toward the exterior in the form which follows the 1st inter-unit connection part 32. The metal support 43 has a half-divided rectangular tube shape as a whole, and is elastically contacted from the support main body 43a that abuts on the connection main body 32a of the first inter-unit connection 32, and from both side edges of the support main body 43a. It consists of a pair of support side wall parts 43b which stand up in the same direction as the piece 32b. Since the metal support 43 is provided at the opening edge of the first opening 41, it is integrally formed with the first sub case 22b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the metal support part 43 is inserted into the second opening 42 in the metal support part 38 of the adjacent units 12 and 13 as the adjacent units 12 and 13 are assembled. It is fitted together with the inter-unit connection part 32. The first inter-unit connection portion 32 fitted in the second opening 42 in the adjacent units 12 and 13 is between the second units of the connection fitting 22 provided in the adjacent units 12 and 13 with the elastic contact piece 32b. The contact portion 33 is elastically contacted. As a result, the connection fittings 22 are electrically connected to each other between the adjacent units 12 and 13 so that the reference potential related to the signal ground is transmitted to each other.

  Next, a holding structure for the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP in the fitting holding part 38 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a pair of holding projections (holding projections) 39 that are fitted into the holding hole portions 35 of the substrate portion 31 a are provided on the inner wall surface of the base wall portion 38 a. . The holding projection 39 is fitted into the holding hole 35 when the board 31a is attached to the base wall 38a so as to approach from the circuit boards 23IO and 23CP along the Y-axis direction. It has become. Therefore, the upper side (lower side shown in FIG. 14) shown in FIG. 13 is the front side in the fitting direction of the holding hole 35 with respect to the holding projection 39, and the opposite side is the rear side in the fitting direction. As a result, the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are held with respect to the fitting holding portion 38 in a state of being positioned in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. On the inner wall surface of each side wall portion 38b, first locking holding portions 40 that can be locked with respect to the first locked holding portions 36 of the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP protrude inward. Is provided. The first locking holding portion 40 is in the lower side (upper side shown in FIG. 14) shown in FIG. 13 with respect to the first locked holding portion 36, that is, the fitting direction of the holding hole 35 with respect to the holding protrusion 39 described above. It is locked from the rear side (the side opposite to the base wall 38a side), that is, from the circuit board 23 side. Furthermore, the opening edge portion of the second opening portion 42 in the base wall portion 38a is the rear side in the fitting direction with respect to the second locked holding portion 37 of the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP, that is, the circuit board 23 side. It is set as the 2nd latching holding part 44 which can be latched from. In other words, the second locked holding portion 37 protrudes through the second opening 42 to the outside of the metal fitting holding portion 38, that is, the side opposite to the substrate portion 21a side with respect to the base wall portion 38a. It is arranged in a form addressed to the outer surface of the locking holding portion 44. The first locking holding portion 40 and the first locked holding portion 36, and the second locking holding portion 44 and the second locked holding portion 37 are separated from each other in the X-axis direction. With respect to the direction, the substrate connecting portion 34 is disposed at a position where the contact portion 34b of the elastic contact piece 34c is sandwiched. As a result, the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are positioned in the Y-axis direction with respect to the fitting holding portion 38, and it is difficult to cause a situation where the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are inclined in a direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a. In addition, on the outer surface of the second locking holding portion 44, a locking protrusion that enters the locking opening 37a of the second locked holding portion 37 and is locked to the edge of the opening. 44a is provided. Thereby, the latching state of the 2nd latching holding part 44 with respect to the 2nd to-be-latched holding part 37 is kept favorable. Then, on the outer surface of the second locking holding portion 44 constituted by a part of the base wall portion 38a on the side opposite to the substrate portion 31a side, the same direction as that of the protrusion 44a for retaining, that is, the outer side (substrate portion 31a). A protective protrusion 44b is provided to protrude to the side opposite to the side. The protective protrusion 44b is disposed so as to surround the second locked holding portion 37 and the retaining protrusion 44a, and the protruding front end surface from the second locking holding portion 44 is the second locked holding portion. 37 and the protrusions 44a for retaining the stoppers. Accordingly, it is difficult for an external conductive foreign matter to directly interfere with the second locked holding portion 37 by the protective projection 44b.

  This embodiment has the structure as described above, and the operation thereof will be described subsequently. First, an assembly procedure relating to each I / O unit 12 and the CPU unit 13 including the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP will be described. When the I / O units 12 and the CPU unit 13 are assembled, the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are attached to the main case 22a in advance. In order to attach the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP, for example, while the second locked holding portion 37 is locked to the second locking holding portion 44 from the side opposite to the circuit board 23 side, The Y-axis direction is made to approach the base wall portion 38a of the metal fitting holding portion 38 while being tilted along the direction intersecting the plate surface. Then, the holding projection 35 is fitted into the holding hole 35 and the first locked holding portion 36 is locked to the first locking holding portion 40 from the side opposite to the circuit board 23 side. (See FIGS. 13 and 14). As a result, the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are attached in a positioning state in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, so that the connection fittings 21IO and 21CP are held by the fitting holding portion 38. Thereafter, when the circuit boards 23IO and 23CP in a state where the connector parts 20IO and 21CP and the board-side metal fitting 24 are attached in advance are accommodated in the main case 22a, the elastic contact pieces 34c of the board connection part 34 of the connection metal fittings 21IO and 21CP are formed. By making elastic contact with the board-side metal fitting 24, the connection metal fittings 21IO, 21CP and the circuit boards 23IO, 23CP are electrically connected (see FIGS. 13 and 14). Then, by assembling the sub cases 22b and 22c to the main case 22a, the assembling of the I / O units 12 and the CPU unit 13 is completed as shown in FIGS.

  The power supply unit 11 is assembled after the circuit board 23PW is accommodated in the main case 22a and then the sub cases 22b and 22c are assembled to the main case 22a (see FIGS. 1 and 2). ). Further, the termination unit 14 is assembled by accommodating the circuit board 23ED in which the connection fitting 21ED is connected in advance to the unit case 22ED (see FIG. 9).

  Then, the assembly | attachment procedure of adjacent units 11-14 is demonstrated. Here, the assembly procedure of the first I / O unit 12A, the second I / O unit 12B, and the CPU unit 13 will be described as a representative. When the first I / O unit 12A and the CPU unit 13 are assembled from the state shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the male connector portion 20M (20CP) and the bracket support portion 43 projecting outward from the side surface of the CPU unit 13 are formed. The first I / O unit 12A is fitted into the connector receiving opening 25 and the second opening 42 that are open on the side facing the CPU unit 13, respectively. When the male connector portion 20M is fitted into the connector receiving opening 25, it is concavo-convexly fitted to the female connector portion 20F waiting in the connector receiving opening 25 as shown in FIG. As a result, various signals and power can be transmitted between the first I / O unit 12A and the CPU unit 13. On the other hand, when the metal support 43 is fitted in the second opening 42, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU unit is connected to the second inter-unit connection part 33 waiting in the second opening 42. The elastic contact piece 32b of the first inter-unit connection portion 32 constituting the connection fitting 21CP included in the base 13 is elastically contacted, so that the reference potential relating to the signal ground is between the first I / O unit 12A and the CPU unit 13. Can be transmitted.

  Similarly, when the first I / O unit 12A and the second I / O unit 12B are assembled from the state shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the male connector portion 20M protruding outward from the side surface of the first I / O unit 12A. (20IO) and the metal support 43 are fitted in the connector receiving opening 25 and the second opening 42 that are open on the side surfaces of the second I / O unit 12B facing the first I / O unit 12A, respectively. Combined. When the male connector portion 20M is fitted into the connector receiving opening 25, it is concavo-convexly fitted to the female connector portion 20F waiting in the connector receiving opening 25 as shown in FIG. As a result, various signals and power can be transmitted between the first I / O unit 12A and the second I / O unit 12B. On the other hand, when the metal support 43 is fitted in the second opening 42, the first I is connected to the second inter-unit connection part 33 waiting in the second opening 42 as shown in FIG. The elastic contact piece 32b of the first inter-unit connection portion 32 constituting the connection fitting 21IO provided in the / O unit 12A is elastically contacted, so that the first I / O unit 12A and the second I / O unit 12B are in contact with each other. It is possible to transmit a reference potential related to the signal ground.

  When all the units 11 to 14 are assembled by repeating the above procedure, the units 11 to 14 are electrically connected to each other by the connector portions 20 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the units 12 to 14 excluding the power supply unit 11 are electrically connected to each other by the connection fittings 21. Thus, the reference potential related to the signal ground can be transmitted between the units 12 to 14.

  As described above, the programmable controller 10 of the present embodiment includes the unit case 22, the circuit board 23 accommodated in the unit case 22, the case accommodated in the unit case 22, and connected to the circuit board 23. When another unit case 22 is assembled to 22, it is connected to the mating female connector 20 </ b> F or male connector 20 </ b> M (mating connector) provided in the other unit case 22. Thus, at least the male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F (connector portion) capable of transmitting a signal and the male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F are separately held in the unit case 22, The mating connection fittings (the mating connection fittings) provided on the substrate 23 and the other unit case 22 A connection fitting 21 that can transmit a reference potential to and from the unit 21 and a fitting holding portion 38 (45) that is provided in the unit case 22 and holds the connection fitting 21. When the other unit case 22 is assembled to the unit case 22 when the bracket main body 31 (27), the board connecting portion 34 (28) connected to the circuit board 23, and the unit case 22 are assembled, The first inter-unit connection part 32 or the second inter-unit connection part 33 (inter-unit connection part), and the bracket holding part 38 is connected to the first inter-unit connection part 32 or the second unit. The inter-connection portion 33 is disposed so as to surround at least the metal fitting body 31 while exposing the inter-connection portion 33 to the counterpart metal fitting 21.

  The circuit board 23 accommodated in the unit case 22 is connected to the board connection part 34 of the connection fitting 21 held by the metal fitting holding part 38 of the unit case 22, and the male connector accommodated in the unit case 22. The part 20M or the female connector part 20F is connected. When another unit case 22 is assembled to the unit case 22, the first inter-unit connection portion 32 or the second inter-unit connection portion 33 of the connection fitting 21 is exposed at the fitting holding portion 38. Thus, the male connector part 20M or the female connector part 20F is connected to the mating female connector part 20F or the male connector part 20M. At this time, a reference potential can be transmitted between the circuit board 23 and the mating connection fitting 21 by the connection fitting 21, and the circuit board 23 and the mating connector section 20F are used to transmit the reference potential between the circuit board 23 and the mating connection fitting 21. At least a signal can be transmitted between the female connector 20F or the male connector 20M. As described above, since the connection fitting 21 for transmitting the reference potential is provided separately from at least the male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F for transmitting a signal, the signal and the reference potential are transmitted by the connector as in the related art. The connection resistance is lower than that of a structure that transmits both of them. As a result, even if the current capacity of the circuit board 23 is large, the reference potential transmitted by the connection fitting 21 becomes stable, thereby improving the operational stability. Moreover, since the metal fitting body 31 is surrounded by the metal fitting holding portion 38 of the unit case 22, the connection metal 21 is external as compared with a case where the entire connection metal fitting 21 is exposed to the outside of the unit case 22. This makes it less susceptible to the noise present in the device, and thus provides better operational stability.

  In addition, the metal fitting holding portion 38 has at least a base wall portion 38a disposed with a space between the circuit board 23 and a side wall portion 38b rising from the side edge of the base wall portion 38a so as to approach the circuit board 23. On the other hand, the connection fitting 21 is attached to the fitting holding portion 38 to be held, and the fitting main body 31 is disposed along the inner surface of the base wall portion 38a. And at least a side plate portion 31b that rises from the side edge of the substrate portion 31a and is disposed along the inner surface of the side wall portion 38b, and is held on either side of the base wall portion 38a or the substrate portion 31a. The protrusion (holding convex part) 39 is provided, whereas the holding protrusion 39 is fitted on the other side along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the board part 31a, so that the connection fitting 21 is attached to the board part. One along the plate surface of 31a The holding hole portion (the holding recess) 35 for retaining the provided. In this way, in a state where the connection fitting 21 is attached to the fitting holding portion 38, the connection fitting 21 is arranged with the board portion 31 a forming the fitting main body 31 spaced from the circuit board 23. The side plate portion 31b rising from the side edge of the base plate portion 31a is arranged along the inner surface of the base wall portion 38a and along the inner surface of the side wall portion 38b rising from the side edge of the base wall portion 38a so as to approach the circuit board 23. Arranged. When the connection fitting 21 is attached to the fitting holding portion 38, the holding projection 39 is fitted to the holding hole 35 along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a. Thus, the connection fitting 21 is held in the direction along the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a.

  In addition, a first locked holding portion (locked holding portion) 36 is provided on one side of the side wall portion 38b and the side plate portion 31b, whereas a first locked lock is provided on the other side. By locking the holding portion 36 from the circuit board 23 side, a first locking holding portion (locking holding portion) 40 that holds the connection fitting 21 in a state of restricting movement of the connection fitting 21 to the circuit board 23 side is provided. Is provided. In this way, when the connection fitting 21 is attached to the fitting holding portion 38, the holding projection 39 is fitted to the holding hole portion 35 along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a. At the same time, the first locking holding part 40 is locked to the first locked holding part 36 from the circuit board 23 side. As a result, in addition to being held in the direction along the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a, the connection fitting 21 is restricted from moving toward the circuit board 23 along the direction intersecting the plate surface. Retained.

  In addition, a pair of side wall portions 38b are provided in a form rising from both side edges of the base wall portion 38a, whereas a pair of side plate parts 31b are provided in a shape rising from both side edges of the substrate portion 31a. The first locking holding part 40 and the first locked holding part 36 are provided in pairs in a pair of side wall parts 38b and a pair of side plate parts 31b. If it does in this way, the mechanical strength of the connection metal fitting 21 will become high by providing a pair of side wall part 38b in the form which stands | starts up from the both-sides edge of the board | substrate part 31a, respectively. Moreover, since the first locking holding portion 40 and the first locked holding portion 36 are provided in a pair with the pair of side wall portions 38b and the pair of side plate portions 31b, the connection fitting 21 is provided. It is difficult to cause a situation in which the board portion 31a is inclined in the direction intersecting the plate surface.

  Further, a second locked holding portion (second locked holding portion) 37 is provided on one side of the base wall portion 38a and the substrate portion 31a, whereas the second locked holding portion 37 is provided on the other side. 2 A second locking holding portion (second holding) that holds the connection fitting 21 in a state of being restricted from moving to the circuit board 23 side by locking the locked holding portion 37 from the circuit board 23 side. (Locking holding portion) 44 is provided, and the first locking holding portion 40 and the locked holding portion 36, and the second locking holding portion 44 and the second locked holding portion 37 are the substrate portion 31a. Are arranged at positions that sandwich the connection position of the board connection portion 34 with respect to the circuit board 23 in the direction along the plate surface and along the plate surface of the side plate portion 31b. In this way, when the connection fitting 21 is attached to the fitting holding portion 38, the first locking holding portion 40 is locked to the locked holding portion 36 from the circuit board 23 side, The second locking holding portion 44 is locked to the second locked holding portion 37 from the circuit board 23 side. Thereby, the connection fitting 21 is held in a state in which movement to the circuit board 23 side along the direction intersecting the plate surface of the board portion 31a is more preferably regulated. In addition, the connection fitting 21 has a first locking holding portion 40 and a locked holding portion 36 disposed along the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a and spaced apart in the direction along the plate surface of the side plate portion 31b, In addition to the fact that the connecting metal fitting 21 is held by the two locking holding portions 44 and the second locked holding portion 37, it is difficult for the connection fitting 21 to tilt in the direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion 31a. The connection state of the board connection part 34 in the connection fitting 21 to the board 23 becomes more stable.

  The second locking holding portion 44 and the second locked holding portion 37 are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the base wall portion 38a opposite to the substrate portion 31a side, On the outer surface of the base wall portion 38a opposite to the substrate portion 31a side, a protective protrusion 44b that protrudes outward from the second locking holding portion 44 or the second locked holding portion 37 is provided. If it does in this way, the protection protrusion 44b will protrude outside the 2nd latching holding part 44 or the 2nd to-be-latched holding part 37 from the outer surface on the opposite side to the board | substrate part 31a side in the base wall part 38a. Since the second locking holding portion 44 and the second locked holding portion 37 are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside of the base wall portion 38a opposite to the substrate portion 31a side. Protection is achieved. As a result, the connection fitting 21 is not easily affected by noise existing outside, and is thus more excellent in operational stability.

  The circuit board 23 is provided with the board-side metal fitting 24, whereas the board connecting portion 34 has an elastic contact piece 34 c that is elastically contacted with the board-side metal fitting 24. In this way, the elastic contact piece 34c of the board connecting portion 34 is in elastic contact with the board side metal fitting 24 attached to the circuit board 23, so that the connection state between the connection metal fitting 21 and the circuit board 23 is stable. Is kept on the spot. Since the connection fitting 21 is connected to the circuit board 23 via the board-side fitting 24 attached to the circuit board 23, the shape of the board-side fitting 24 is determined according to the positional relationship between the connection fitting 21 and the circuit board 23. By appropriately setting the above, it is possible to flexibly cope with the positional relationship. In other words, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the connection fitting 21 and the circuit board 23.

  Further, when the second other unit case 22 is assembled from the side opposite to the other unit case 22 side with respect to the unit case 22 while being accommodated in the unit case 22 and connected to the circuit board 23, The female connector portion 20F or the female connector portion 20F that can transmit at least a signal by being connected to the second mating male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F provided in the other unit case 22 When the second other unit case 22 is assembled to the unit case 22 from the side opposite to the other unit case 22 side provided on the male connector portion 20M (second connector portion) and the connection fitting 21. In addition, by connecting to the second mating connection fitting 21 provided in the second other unit case 22, the circuit board 23 and the second connection case 21 are connected. A second inter-unit connection portion 33 or a first inter-unit connection portion 32 (second inter-unit connection portion) capable of transmitting a reference potential to the hand-side connection fitting 21; The holding portion 38 is formed so as to expose the second inter-unit connection portion 33 or the first inter-unit connection portion 32 to the second mating connector 21. If it does in this way, in the circuit board 23 accommodated in the unit case 22, the male connector part 20M or the female connector part 20F accommodated in the unit case 22, and the female connector part 20F or the male connector part 20M is connected. When the second other unit case 22 is assembled to the unit case 22, the second inter-unit connection portion 33 or the first inter-unit connection portion 32 provided in the connection fitting 21 is the bracket holding portion 38. Is exposed to the second mating connector 21 and the female connector portion 20F or the male connector portion 20M is connected to the second mating male connector portion 20M or the female die. It is connected to the connector part 20F. At this time, a reference potential can be transmitted between the circuit board 23 and the second mating connection piece 21 by the connection fitting 21, and the circuit board 23 is connected to the circuit board 23 by the female connector portion 20F or the male connector portion 20M. At least a signal can be transmitted between the second male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F. Further, when another unit case 22 is assembled to the unit case 22, the reference potential between the circuit board 23, the mating connection bracket 21, and the second mating connection bracket 21 is connected by the connection bracket 21. Can be transmitted, and the male connector portion 20M or the female connector portion 20F, and the female connector portion 20F or the male connector portion 20M, and the female connector portion 20F or the male connector portion on the other side of the circuit board 23. At least a signal can be transmitted between 20M and the second mating male connector 20M or female connector 20F.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the programmable controller including a total of seven units is exemplified, but the specific number of units included in the programmable controller can be changed as appropriate.

  (2) In addition to the above-described embodiment, the assembly procedure in each unit constituting the programmable controller, the procedure for assembling each unit, and the like can be changed as appropriate.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the power supply unit is not provided with the connection fitting is shown, but a configuration in which the connection fitting is attached to the power supply unit can also be adopted.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the openings are not formed in the base wall portion and the side wall portion constituting the metal fitting holding portion is exemplified, but the base wall portion and the side wall portion are partially provided in one or both of them. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which a simple opening is formed and a part of the connection fitting is exposed to the outside.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the first inter-unit connection portion of the connection fitting has an elastic contact piece. However, the second inter-unit connection portion of the connection fitting has an elastic contact piece. It is also possible.

  (6) In the above-described embodiment, the elastic contact piece included in the first inter-unit connection portion of the connection fitting or the elastic contact piece forming the substrate connection portion is provided with a slit and formed into a forked shape. Such slits can be omitted. Conversely, the number of slits can be two or more.

  (7) In the above-described embodiment, the connection metal fitting has the elastic contact piece that elastically contacts the board-side metal fitting attached to the circuit board. However, the elastic contact piece is provided on the board-side metal fitting side. It is also possible to adopt a structure. In addition to this, there is no elastic contact piece on both the connection bracket and the board-side bracket, but the connection bracket and the board-side bracket are connected to each other by lead wires, etc., or connected by welding the connection bracket and the board-side bracket. It is also possible to adopt a configuration to do so.

  (8) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the board side metal fitting is attached to the circuit board is shown. However, the board side metal fitting is omitted and the board connecting portion of the connection metal fitting is directly connected to the circuit board. It is also possible to take.

  (9) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the connection fitting is attached to the unit case is shown, but the connection fitting can be integrally held by insert molding to the unit case.

  (10) In the above-described embodiment, the holding hole portion is provided in the connection fitting and the holding projection portion is provided in the fitting holding portion. However, the holding projection portion is provided in the connection fitting, and the holding projection portion is provided in the fitting holding portion. It is also possible to provide a holding recess into which is fitted.

  (11) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the connection fitting is provided with the first locked holding portion having a concave shape, and the metal holding portion is provided with the first locking holding portion having a claw shape is shown. It is also possible to provide a claw-shaped first locked holding portion on the metal plate and to provide a metal fitting holding portion with a concave first locking holding portion.

  (12) In the above-described embodiment, the protective protrusion is provided so as to surround the second locked holding portion. However, the specific shape of the protective protrusion can be changed as appropriate. It is also possible to omit the protective protrusion.

  (13) In the above-described embodiment, the connection fitting has a pair of side plate portions. However, the number of the side plate portions may be one. Further, the side plate portion can be omitted.

  (14) In the above-described embodiment, the connection fitting connected to the signal ground of the circuit board is exemplified. However, the present invention can also be applied to a connection fitting connected to the frame ground of the circuit board.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Programmable controller, 20 ... Connector part, 20F ... Female connector part (connector part, 2nd connector part, mating connector part, 2nd mating connector part), 20M ... Male connector part (connector part, Second connector part, mating connector part, second mating connector part), 21 ... connecting bracket (mating connector fitting, second mating connector), 22 ... unit case (other unit case, no. 2 other unit cases), 23... Circuit board, 24 .. substrate side metal fitting, 27 .. metal fitting body, 28 .. board connecting portion, 29 .. inter-unit connecting portion (second inter-unit connecting portion), 31. , 31a ... substrate part, 31b ... side plate part, 32 ... first unit connecting part (unit connecting part, second unit connecting part), 33 ... second unit connecting part (unit connecting part, second No Yu Connection part), 34 ... substrate connection part, 34c ... elastic contact piece, 35 ... holding hole part (holding concave part), 36 ... first locked holding part (locked holding part), 37 ... second Locked holding part (second locked holding part), 38 ... metal fitting holding part, 38a ... base wall part, 38b ... side wall part, 39 ... holding projection (holding convex part), 40 ... first locking Holding part (locking holding part), 44 ... second locking holding part (second locking holding part), 44b ... protective projection

Claims (7)

Unit case,
A circuit board housed in the unit case;
It is accommodated in the unit case and connected to the circuit board, and when another unit case is assembled to the unit case, it is connected to a mating connector part provided in the other unit case. A connector part capable of transmitting at least a signal;
A connector that is held in the unit case separately from the connector part, and that can transmit a reference potential between the circuit board and the mating connector provided in the other unit case,
A programmable controller provided with the unit case and having a metal fitting holding part that holds the connection metal fitting,
The connection fitting is
The bracket body,
A board connecting portion connected to the circuit board;
When the other unit case is assembled to the unit case, it has an inter-unit connection portion connected to the counterpart connection fitting, and
The metal holding part is
Arranged in a form surrounding at least the bracket body while exposing the inter-unit connection portion to the counterpart connection bracket ,
The metal fitting holding part has at least a base wall part arranged with a space between the circuit board and a side wall part rising from the side edge of the base wall part so as to approach the circuit board. The connection fitting is intended to be held by being attached to the fitting holding portion, and a substrate portion in which the fitting main body is arranged along the inner surface of the base wall portion; It has at least a side plate portion that rises from the side edge and is disposed along the inner surface of the side wall portion,
On one side of the base wall portion and the substrate portion, a holding convex portion is provided, whereas on the other side, the holding convex portion is along a direction intersecting the plate surface of the substrate portion. fitting the holding recess for holding the direction along the fitting to the plate surface of the substrate portion by being engaged is provided a programmable controller for said Rukoto. While either one of the side wall and the side plate is provided with a locked holding portion, the other side is locked with respect to the locked holding portion from the circuit board side. it is programmable controller of claim 1, wherein a locking holder for holding the state of the fitting is restricted from moving the circuit board side. The side wall portions are provided in pairs so as to rise from both side edges of the base wall portion, whereas the side plate portions are provided in pairs so as to stand up from both side edges of the substrate portion,
3. The programmable controller according to claim 2, wherein the locking holding portion and the locked holding portion are provided in a pair with the pair of side wall portions and the pair of side plate portions, respectively. . A second locked holding portion is provided on one side of the base wall portion and the substrate portion, whereas the second locked holding portion is provided on the other side with respect to the second locked holding portion. A second locking holding portion is provided to hold the connection fitting in a state of being restricted from moving to the circuit board side by locking from the circuit board side,
The locking holding portion and the locked holding portion, and the second locking holding portion and the second locked holding portion are along the plate surface of the substrate portion and the plate surface of the side plate portion. claim 2 or claim 3 programmable controller according to, characterized in that arranged at a position sandwiching the connection position of the board connecting portion relative to the circuit board for a direction along the. Whereas the second locking holding portion and the second locked holding portion are arranged so as to be exposed to the outside on the side opposite to the substrate portion side with respect to the base wall portion, On the outer surface of the base wall portion opposite to the substrate portion side, a protective projection that protrudes outward from the second locking holding portion or the second locked holding portion is provided. The programmable controller according to claim 4 . The board-side metal fitting is attached to the circuit board, whereas the board connecting portion has an elastic contact piece that is elastically contacted with the board-side metal fitting. The programmable controller according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . When the second other unit case is assembled to the unit case from the side opposite to the other unit case side while being accommodated in the unit case and connected to the circuit board, the second case By being connected to a second mating connector portion provided in another unit case, at least a second connector portion capable of transmitting a signal;
The second other unit case is provided in the connecting bracket, and is provided in the second other unit case when the second other unit case is assembled to the unit case from the side opposite to the other unit case side. A second inter-unit connection portion that is capable of transmitting a reference potential between the circuit board and the second mating connection fitting by being connected to the second mating connection fitting. And
The said metal fitting holding part is formed so that the said 2nd inter-unit connection part may be exposed with respect to a said 2nd other party connection metal fitting, The any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Programmable controller as described in.

Images